For our world

04/07/2025

For our world

 

We continue to be confronted with the impact of violence and conflict in our world, which destroys the security and the livelihoods of so many people. As a response to their concern about the situation in their country, the LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) in the United States has invited Religious congregations to 100 days of Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy, which commenced on the Feast of the Ascension. Our sisters in the three US provinces have committed themselves to respond to this invitation on Wednesday 9th July, the Feast of the Martyrs of Orange. Let us support our sisters on that day by joining them in the way that is best for each one, personally and communally.

As we do this, we must also commit ourselves to pray earnestly and continuously for peace in our fractured world. We pray too, that the Spirit of Wisdom will break through the walls of resistance as world leaders negotiate for peaceful and just outcomes. May they strive, as must each one of us, to keep the poor, the oppressed, and all who are vulnerable at the centre of every decision.

From the News Briefs - July

 

Ursulines UR of the USA offer this prayer for you to be in solidarity with us across the world:

 

 

A Prayer for Peace
“Seek to spread peace and concord wherever you are.”
(Angela Merici)

O God, Source of all that is,
we find ourselves with heavy hearts these days –
hearts made heavy by the reality of violence, war, and disasters,
and the suffering and destruction they bring.
In places far and near, the violence and death seem endless.
We hold in our hearts and in our prayers
our wounded and weary world.
We pray for an end to the injustice, violence, and war
that seem to hold our world in their grip,
and that we sometimes find in our own hearts.

We pray you, O God,
disarm our hearts and disarm our world,
that the rights and dignity of all may be respected and protected;
remind us that we all share life together
as sisters and brothers to each other.
We pray for peace and justice, O God,
and that each of us may be an instrument
of peace and justice in our world. Amen.

(Diane Fulgenzi, OSU)